On Thursday, January 2, Pete Buttigieg, known as “Mayor Pete,” sparked a flurry of criticism and online ridicule following a controversial social media post and accompanying video. In his remarks, Buttigieg compared President Joe Biden’s infrastructure initiatives to the construction of the Hoover Dam, an ambitious claim that left many questioning both the validity and sincerity of the statement.
In his post, Buttigieg wrote:
“I’m confident that a century from now, future Americans will look back on the work we’ve done—much as we look at the Hoover Dam—and see how the Biden-Harris Administration’s ‘Big Deal’ for infrastructure made big things possible.”
This statement was clearly an attempt to tie the Biden administration’s infrastructure policies to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s iconic New Deal projects, which included monumental endeavors like the Hoover Dam. However, the comparison quickly became fodder for jokes and skepticism across social media platforms.
The Hoover Dam Comparison and Claims of Success
In the accompanying video, Buttigieg praised the Biden-Harris administration for its handling of infrastructure and economic challenges, specifically citing their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant supply chain crisis. He claimed, “President Biden arrived in office with a sober recognition of the scale of the problems our country was facing.”
Buttigieg further asserted that the administration had solved COVID-era supply chain bottlenecks and effectively addressed related economic issues. He also highlighted the creation of millions of jobs as a key accomplishment of the Biden presidency.
However, critics were quick to point out that the so-called “millions of jobs created” were largely positions that had been vacated during the pandemic, with workers returning to pre-COVID roles rather than new opportunities being created.
Social Media Backlash
Predictably, Buttigieg’s comments did not go unchallenged. Social media erupted with backlash, ranging from humorous quips to outright scorn. Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist, led the charge with her viral comment:
“Sir, are you high?”
This remark captured the sentiment of many who found Buttigieg’s statements either exaggerated or detached from reality.
Another commenter joined the fray by poking fun at the supposed accomplishments of the administration, saying, “Wait. What did they do for infrastructure? Seven charging stations and a high-speed train to nowhere.”
Author and conservative commentator John Hawkins took aim at the perceived inefficiency and overspending of the Biden administration, tweeting:
“If you clowns had been in charge of building the Hoover Dam, it would have cost $400 billion, and we wouldn’t have started building it yet.”
Similarly, Chad Felix Greene, another conservative personality, noted the administration’s tendency to overstate its achievements, stating:
“The entire theme of this administration has been boasting of being the most incredible, history-making, innovative, and celebrated administration of all time, despite no one being able to name a single thing they’ve done. It is obnoxious, but they keep strutting around…”
Critics Question Accomplishments
Beyond humorous commentary, many questioned the administration’s tangible achievements. One commenter wrote:
“Future Americans will look back just as current Americans and see that the Biden-Harris administration is full of liars and grifters who stole American taxpayers’ money and lied about their accomplishments. You’re all incompetent nobodies who accomplished nothing.”
Another criticized Buttigieg’s performance specifically as Secretary of Transportation, writing:
“Bwwwaaahahahaha … You did NOTHING! All you cared about was vacationing! You, and all of @JoeBiden’s cabinet picks, have been a disgrace! You knew NOTHING about our transportation needs and NEVER bothered to learn 4 years after starting. Thank God your reign of terror is almost over!”
These responses reflect growing dissatisfaction among critics who argue that the administration has overstated its contributions to infrastructure while underdelivering on promises.
The Perception Problem
Buttigieg’s comparison of Biden’s infrastructure initiatives to the Hoover Dam underscores a recurring theme in the administration: an emphasis on framing policies as historic accomplishments, often without clear, measurable results to back them up. While some infrastructure projects have moved forward, such as investments in electric vehicle charging stations and public transit, critics argue these efforts fall short of transformative initiatives like the Hoover Dam.
The backlash also highlights a broader discontent with Buttigieg’s tenure as Secretary of Transportation. Critics often point to his handling of transportation crises, such as widespread flight cancellations and supply chain disruptions, as evidence of incompetence.
Conclusion
Pete Buttigieg’s attempt to tie the Biden administration’s infrastructure policies to historic feats like the Hoover Dam has backfired spectacularly, with social media users mocking the comparison and questioning the administration’s actual accomplishments. As the Biden presidency heads into its final year, statements like these may further fuel criticism from opponents who view the administration as more focused on rhetoric than results.
While Buttigieg aimed to highlight the administration’s contributions, the response has shown that the public remains unconvinced, with many asking for less hyperbole and more concrete progress.
